Chicago White Sox

You literally do nothing but come up with ways to s%*# on this team. I don’t like telling people how to fan, but I have no idea why you follow this team when all you constantly do is look for the negative in a surprising, amazingly fun season.

As I have stated before, Brooks is going to fight like hell to get Roch selected at 1.01 and we all know he has Jerry’s ear. And while Lackey has unique marketing potential per Caulfield by being “the first black catcher since Charles Johnson”, Roch has both the coolest first name ever and the most polish last name ever. Every man, woman, & child in Chicaogoland will adore this kid. When a player is both the most marketable, the most talented, and closest to the majors, don’t over think things and just take. I’m Team Roch and am confident the Sox are as well.

Who is number 1 then?

We started off the season 1-5. Since then we have gone 44-35. If that pace continues the rest of the way, then we will win 88 games. 90 wins is certainly a possibility if guys stay healthy.

I thought there was some minimum a player could get in the draft if they shared medicals or can that can be circumvented through negotiation?

We turned Mead into Boston Smith (who is awesome), so the trade will still live on even after Davitt’s eventual DFA. Speaking of Boston, it’s his promotion that likely pushed them to make this trade.

Getz has basically confirmed they’re taking a positional guy at the 1.01

I’d wager some money that all this is posturing and the Sox are taking Roch with the 1.01.

He’s always been ahead of Lackey…

You named two Hall of Famers and a flash in the pan catcher who couldn’t catch. Not sure how these are remotely apt comparisons for a guy we traded Ben Peoples for.

Schultz was considered one of the best LHP prospects in all of baseball, are you seriously asking if a fringe major leaguer like Schweitzer is better because he had one good appearance last night?

Here’s an extremely early view of how the 40 man roster could shake out ahead of next year’s Rule 5 draft: Infielders (9): Murakami, Meidroth, C. Montgomery, Vargas, J. Gonzalez, Acuna, Baldwin, Murray, Bergolla* Outfielders (6): Antonacci, Peters, B. Montgomery, Benintendi, Pereira, Perez Catchers (3): Teel, Quero, Romo Starting Pitchers (11): Martin, Burke, Schultz, Kay, S. Smith, McDougal, Sandlin, Thorpe, Bush, H. Smith*, Adams* Relievers (11): Taylor, Dominguez, Hicks, W. Gonzalez, Berroa, Vasil, Hudson, Murphy, Schweitzer, Rock, Palette* Free Agents (5): Newcomb, Fedde, Richards, Grichuk, Hays DFAs (7): Davitt, Cannon, Gilbert, Eisert, Leasure, Davis, Nishada This assumes we fully load ahead of the Rule 5 when in reality we likely leave a few spots open for free agents. Ignoring that for now, there are 12 total roster exits due to free agency and DFAs. There are four roster additions with Hagen, Mason, & Bergolla being highly probable adds. Palette is the 4th guy I included as I think some RH reliever will be added this season, but could also be Iriarte or Franklin. Those two plus Gowens, Batista, & Carella would be left unprotected. Looking at our roster “needs”, I’d expect the Sox to add a legit TOR starter in free agency and at least try to bring back Newcomb. Another RH reliever is a possibility. Backup catcher would be another upgrade option, but my guess is they bring in a non roster invite to challenge Quero. Are they comfortable with Everson & Perez filling the Grichuk role? If not, one of them probably goes. Very possible another three or four guys would have to go and this is when you really start seeing the roster crunch. Obviously this is a good problem to have, but it’s also why you see elite organizations like the Rays dump “fringe” major leaguers for cash like they did with Peters.

Schweitzer will be sent down today. Eisert is probably the next reliever on the chopping block. Hudson, Newcomb, & Murphy (if the June version is real) will stick on the 26 man roster.

Catcher development is usually slower with the bat lagging due to a focus on the defensive side of things.

Any rumors on who the Orioles might be starting tomorrow?

Honestly, I’m not sure yet. If Benny goes down the road, DH is an option. 2B is also a possibility. I’m just not eager to move him simply because he’s “blocked” at the moment. Guys get injured all the time and he’s an insurance across the entire infield and at DH. I think trading him now is likely selling him low. Even a little bit of major league success would catapult his value come the offseason.

Sox went 13-12 in June with a +25 run differential despite no Murakami, only four legit SPs, and having to face the Phillies, Braves, Dodgers, Yankees, & Guardians.

It would have to be for someone controllable like that, but I also wouldn’t want to give up much else. Once a prospect shows they can succeed in the majors the entire valuation calculus changes. I think we’re starting to see Jacob isn’t smoke & mirrors because of Truist Field. I’d really like to avoid trading him regardless.

Do NOT trade Gonzalez!

How is this kid’s defense behind the plate? I keep seeing people say he’s not a prospect, but I think it’s tough judging a minor league catcher solely by their offensive numbers.

Four game series against CLE, so make it three of four!

I definitely could see that. The CLE series is obviously far more important.

Just wasn’t sure when he last pitched and if he’d be used like this. The entire bullpen will be rested heading into tomorrow’s finale and then the CLE series. That’s absolutely huge for us.

Holy s%*# Schweitzer going for a fourth inning.

Jacob just missed that! Kid is fucking legit!